Articulating work platform and hitch assembly

Abstract

A work platform capable of attachment to a hitch on a vehicle includes a substantially rectangular frame having a base extending along a plane and an extension arm coupling the frame to the hitch and configured to enable adjustment of the distance of the frame relative to the hitch. An elevation mechanism coupled to the frame and the attachment mechanism is configured to enable adjustment of the height of the frame relative to the plane of the hitch while an orientation mechanism coupled to the frame and configured to enable adjustment of the orientation of the frame relative to the hitch axis. The work platform may further include an angular adjustment mechanism coupled to the extension arm for modifying the angular adjustment of the work platform along an axis transverse to the vehicle centerline. The frame it may be covered on multiple sides to form an enclosed basket-like workspace.

1 . A work platform apparatus capable of attachment to a vehicle comprising:
 a substantially rectangular-shaped frame;   and attachment mechanism configured to movably couple the frame to a hitch of the vehicle in a manner that allows multiple degrees of motion of the frame relative to the hitch.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the attachment mechanism is configured to enable adjustment of a height of the frame relative to the hitch. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the attachment mechanism is configured to enable adjustment of a distance of the frame relative to the hitch. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the attachment mechanism is configured to enable adjustment of an angular orientation of the frame relative to the hitch. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a motor coupled to the attachment mechanism. 
 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the motor is an electric motor. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a pair of wheels coupled to the frame. 
 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the frame has at least one surface on which an operator may stand. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 an audio transducer connectable to a current source. 
 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a light coupled to the frame and connectable to a current source. 
 
     
     
         11 . A work platform apparatus capable of attachment to a hitch of a vehicle, the hitch attached to the vehicle at a height and extending along an axis relative to the vehicle, the work platform comprising:
 a substantially rectangular frame having a base extending along a plane;   an extension arm coupling the frame to the hitch and configured to enable adjustment of a distance of the frame relative to the hitch;   an elevation mechanism coupled to the frame and configured to enable adjustment of a height of the frame relative to a plane of the hitch; and   an orientation mechanism coupled to the frame and configured to enable adjustment of an orientation of the frame relative to the hitch axis.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising:
 an angular adjustment mechanism coupled to the extension arm for modifying the angular adjustment of the frame along an axis which is one of transverse or parallel to a centerline of the vehicle. 
 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising:
 a motor coupled to the attachment mechanism. 
 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the motor is a hydraulic motor. 
     
     
         15 . A method of attaching a work platform to a vehicle having a hitch comprising:
 A) providing a work platform comprising:
 i) a substantially rectangular-shaped frame; 
 ii) an attachment mechanism configured to modify a position of the frame with at least three degrees of freedom relative to the hitch; and 
   B) attaching the work platform to the vehicle hitch.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein C) comprises:
 C1) configuring the adjustment mechanism to modify a height of the work platform relative to the vehicle hitch. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein C) comprises:
 C1) configuring the adjustment mechanism to modify a distance of the work platform relative to the vehicle hitch. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein C) comprises:
 C1) configuring the adjustment mechanism to modify an orientation of the work platform relative to the vehicle hitch. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  wherein C) comprises:
 C1) configuring the adjustment mechanism to modify an angular adjustment of the work platform along an axis which is one of transverse or parallel to the vehicle centerline. 
 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising:
 a second substantially rectangular frame coupled to the extension arm to enable adjustment of a distance of the second frame relative to the hitch and further coupled to the elevation mechanism to enable adjustment of a height of the second frame relative to a plane of the hitch; and 
 a second orientation mechanism coupled to the second frame and configured to enable adjustment of an orientation of the second frame relative to the hitch axis.